We Do This For Fun

Sonya Heitshusen is a three-time Ironman athlete, an award-winning journalist and a trailblazer for women in the workplace. In 2020, after nearly three decades as a prominent TV news anchor in Des Moines, Iowa, her journalism career ended abruptly at the age of 53. She recently filed an age and gender discrimination lawsuit over the matter. Find out what’s next for Sonya, how she finds growth in failure, and why she encourages women to take risks… and take a stand.

Follow her on Instagram at @SonyaNews13 and on Facebook at @SonyaHeitshusen.

The Twins return to dissect Lynn and Ian’s annual family trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. August 2021 will be remembered for strong wind, panic attacks and fights over books. We do this for fun?

Born in Southern California, Anna Lowenthal Walsh has discovered a love for the bitter cold winters of Northern Minnesota. An artist and woodworker, she draws inspiration from her own corner of the wilderness near Ely. Her following now includes students learning her craft. Listen and be inspired!

Mary McKelvey loves parks so much, she’s running (and biking and skiing) for a seat on the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board. Meet Mary for Parks.

Chelsea Strate is a celebrated cyclist who loves a good challenge - including racing hundreds of miles on gravel trails - all in the name of fun. She was recently sidelined with an injury. Find out how she’s finding the strength to slowly get back on her bike, stare down her joy thief and come back even stronger than before.

Follow her on Instagram at @velomeat.

A not-so-fun conversation about a recent encounter with a joy thief. For Jodi and Lynn, the man they’re calling Flannel Shirt Guy was a wake-up call. Because this podcast exists to encourage listeners to get outside… and get outside their comfort zones… we must confront the elephants in the room and the coyotes in the wild that threaten our abilities to do that.

Listeners, we want to hear from you. Who are the joy thieves in your life? And who are the people and organizations working to rid our world of them? Send us a message. We are committed to keeping this conversation going.

First things first. How do you pronounce “Loppet”?! The Loppet Foundation’s Executive Director, Claire Wilson, gives us the official answer. Claire talks about the organization’s mission to get kids and adults outside. From youth programs at Theodore Wirth Park to community events like the Luminary Loppet to training for Olympic-hopefuls, they’ve brought it all here to Minneapolis. Claire is also a badass in her own right, which we happily discuss. Enjoy the episode and support The Loppet!

The Twins return for Season 2. Jodi and Andy debrief on their summer trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with their two boys. It was Jodi’s second trip to the BWCA, during which she discovered muskeg and Vikre camping cocktails. What went right. What went wrong. And what they learned about parenting while paddling and portaging.

We want this podcast to be a helpful resource on your journey to having FUN! So, we want to know… what do you do for fun? What would you like to do for fun? What’s stopping you? Send your intel and feedback to [email protected]. Please and thank you!

This episode was recorded at our favorite place: the Trailhead at beautiful Theodore Wirth Park.

Recorded at Tettegouche State Park overlooking Lake Superior.